ZMIME
Image model comparison · 2 models · Updated Nov 2, 2026

GPT-5 Image Mini vs Seedream 4.0

Newest: GPT-5 Image Mini · Widest inputs: GPT-5 Image Mini · Self-hosting: No open weights. Not enough arena votes yet for a quality score, so this is a spec comparison.

  1. OpenAI

    GPT-5 Image Mini

    Released Oct 16, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena—
    • From—
    • Max size—
  2. ByteDance Seed

    Seedream 4.0

    Released Sep 9, 2025

    • Text to image
    • Image editing
    • Arena1,267
    • From—
    • Max size—
  3. Add a model

    Make it a three-way comparison.

01 — At a glance

Where they differ

Quality is the arena score from blind, side-by-side human votes. Price, length and resolution come from each lab’s own listings.

  • NewestGPT-5 Image MiniGPT-5 Image Mini Oct 16, 2025 · Seedream 4.0 Sep 9, 2025
  • Widest inputsGPT-5 Image MiniGPT-5 Image Mini: Text prompts, Reference images, PDFs · Seedream 4.0: Text prompts, Reference images
  • Image editingBoth edit imagesTakes a reference image as input: GPT-5 Image Mini yes · Seedream 4.0 yes
  • Self-hostingNo open weightsBoth are available only through APIs and apps
  • Most API hostsGPT-5 Image MiniGPT-5 Image Mini: 2 · Seedream 4.0: 1
02 — Side by side

Every spec in one table

Dashes mean the data is not published.

GPT-5 Image Mini vs Seedream 4.0 specifications side by side
SpecificationGPT-5 Image MiniOpenAISeedream 4.0ByteDance Seed
Quality (blind human votes)
Text to image arenaElo-style score · higher is better—1,139 ±7#40 of 82 · 12,563 votes
Image editing arenaElo-style score · higher is better—1,267 ±7#34 of 61 · 210,031 votes
Output
ProducesImagesImages
Inputs
Text promptsYesYes
Reference images (editing)YesYes
Access
WeightsProprietaryProprietary
API hosts2 (best)1
ReleasedOct 16, 2025Sep 9, 2025
03 — Questions

Which should you choose?

Which is better, GPT-5 Image Mini or Seedream 4.0?

Neither model has enough arena votes for a reliable quality score yet, so this page compares specs only. Run the same three or four prompts through each and judge the results.

What is the difference between GPT-5 Image Mini and Seedream 4.0?

GPT-5 Image Mini is an image model from OpenAI (Oct 16, 2025), taking text prompts, reference images and pdfs and producing images. Seedream 4.0 is an image model from ByteDance Seed (Sep 9, 2025), taking text prompts and reference images and producing images.

Which is newer?

GPT-5 Image Mini Oct 16, 2025; Seedream 4.0 Sep 9, 2025.

Which can edit an existing image?

Takes a reference image as input: GPT-5 Image Mini yes; Seedream 4.0 yes.

Can I run any of these on my own hardware?

No open weights. Both are available only through APIs and apps.